Meta plans to deploy free business chatbots on WhatsApp (NASDAQ:META)

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) plans to allow businesses to utilize free artificial intelligence chatbots on WhatsApp, according to a report on Thursday by the Wall Street Journal.

WhatsApp is Meta’s instant messaging and voice-over-IP service.

The customer relations chatbots are part of the Facebook parent’s strategy to better transform messaging apps into “viable business units,” the report said. The chatbots are intended to help businesses automatically respond to customers. Meta also plans to allow businesses to use AI to create ads.

Meta held its Conversations conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Thursday, where it invited marketers and sales teams to discuss ways businesses can utilize messaging apps, WhatsApp in particular, to “improve customer engagement, streamline operations and drive revenue.”

The European marketing company Charles, which utilizes the WhatsApp Business platform, expects the app to expand its commerce features in Europe; increase automation and AI-powered chatbots; provide enhanced analytics and insights; and provide more interactive functionality.

WhatsApp in India and Brazil already allows customers to pay for products and service through the app, and Europe is slated to be the next market for this feature.